healing in nature

Advice from the River

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To celebrate Autumn’s arrival I intentionally joined a canoeing/camping excursion offered by Washington Women Outdoors (a local outdoor adventure group for women). On the last morning of summer I awoke on an island in the middle of the Susquehanna River (the largest river on the East coast) outside of Harrisburg, PA; with a part Huck Finn, part Peter Pan and the lost boys kind of feeling. After six hours of meandering down this waterway we began searching for our evening real estate. Like Goldlocks tasting her porridge, the first island we came to was too small, the second one was already occupied and the third one was just right. Plenty of room for seven spacious camp sights. Canoes were beached, tents were pitched, campfire was built and the traditional WWO happy hour began. Each of us slowly made our way to our sleeping bags on full bellies, sun warmed skin from our day on the river and muscles pleasantly tired after a day full of physical effort. Sleep came easy. Dawn sun rays poked me awake through my tent screen along with the morning chorus of crickets, tree frogs & the haunting call of a train whistle. A soft river scented breeze began to seep into my bones. My six two legged companions were beginning to stir as well. As poet Wendall Berry says, I was returning to ‘the peace of wild things’.

Leaving my world behind, whether to take a short hike solo or with other women, often can calm my frazzled nervous system like no other medium. As Robert Greenway notes in his contribution to Ecotherapy, Healing With Nature in Mind, many things begin to happen when one enters the wilderness or brings ‘the wilderness mind’ to an outdoor excursion. Physically, the body begins to awaken when tasked with being responsible for whatever might be need during our weekend and while meeting the navigational demands of an unknown waterway with lots of rocks, class 1 or 2 rapids and shallow water. Traveling in a group helps us remember our tribal nature. ‘Exercises of mutual caring and of developing trust in the sharing of camp duties, cooking and eating food together all arouse this tribal consciousness.’ - 1 Sitting around a crackling fire naturally connects us with our ancestors, a sense of gratitude for it’s warmth and light along with a sense of “We’ve been here before’. Finally, rivers are a natural place of balance that we can align with when the senses are opened to her gifts.

One of my favorite shows of the 1990’s was called Northern Exposure. In this comedy-drama series, Native American wisdom and seasonal rituals were often featured. One of the most beloved characters was ‘Chris in the morning’, part time radio DJ, philosopher & artist. In one episode a variety of random personal items were going missing ie hair dryers, blenders, etc. Finally, Chris was caught in the act or stealing a car radio and confessed without any resistance stating, ‘sometimes you just have to do something bad to know you’re alive. My take on this is sometimes you just have to do something that takes you out of your comfort zone & provides an appropriate challenge (within ones’s skill set) to remember the feeling of being alive.

Maybe going camping or spending time on a river is not your thing, however, a nature prescription is available to everyone of us. Whether just stepping into one’s own back yard for a few minutes in the morning, sitting next to a plant on a windowsill or visiting a favorite park for a long walk these simple choices can reconnect us to the more than human world and most importantly to ourselves. The best part, it’s free. Spend some time this autumn remembering this important relationship and enjoy Ilan Shamir’s:

Advice from a River

Go with the flow-~immerse yourself in nature

Slow down and meander~Go around the obstacles

Be thoughtful of those downstream~stay current

The beauty is in the journey!

1 edited by Buzzell, Linda and Chalquist, Craig, Ecotherapy, Healing With nature in Mind,2009, Sierra Club Books

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Mind, Body & Nature

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This past weekend I led two different Mindful Outdoor Experiences, one on a mountain, the other by a river. Both creating space for participants to pause, breathe with intention and experience present moment awareness through the senses. Research continues to support what we already know and because of what nature writer Mary Reynolds Thompson says “the ancient Earth-consciousness that resides within you-within us all-that you can access any time, in any place, even in the midst of the busiest city….four billion years of Earth wisdom are embedded in your cells.” Participants say these excursions allowed them to notice how often we are distracted and how to come back to the present moment; that being outside and gardening (although a wonderful experience) feels different than just ‘being’ in nature and not even realizing how much time outdoors is needed for rebalancing and realligning the psyche and the soul.

Last fall I graduated from Kripalu’s newest School of learning, Mindful Outdoor Leadership. “This training—which combines forest bathing, yoga, Ayurveda, outdoor skills, and an overview of relevant research on nature’s health benefits….. is designed for those who are called to share nature’s gifts by integrating their love of the outdoors with mindfulness.” Meaningful connection with the generative powers of nature is an essential part of a healthy and balanced life. With the average American now spending about eleven hours a day on screens and ninety percent of our time indoors our health is suffering. I now humbly call myself a certified Mindful Outdoor Guide, trained by the knowledgeable Kripalu faculty who are a ‘dedicated group of earth stewards, environmental protectors, and nature lovers deeply committed to sharing with you the wondrous gifts of Mother Earth.’

Recently, I read an article, Ice Wisdom, The Ice is Speaking, about the effects of climate change. As long ago as 1963, two young Eskimo-Kalaallit men ‘noticed that water was coming out of the Big Ice way up the wall. When they returned and told the Elders of that strange phenomenon – no one believed them. How could water move, when the temperature has been less than minus 30 degrees Celsius (-22 ºF) for about three months. Later that winter other Elders went hunting and upon returning confirmed that water was trickling out of the Big Ice at the Big Wall. That became the first sign that something was amiss – not at home – but in the world.’ We can no longer ignore what is happening with our planet. For many years now I have been offering therapy and programs that include nature as a co-therapist. Consistantly, attendees have found their participation meaningful, informative and healing. I must confess, these offerings help me as well. The work I do and how I live my life must mirror my intention for this planet I call home; it must be sustainable, efficient and regenerative.

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For more information on joining one of my next mindful outdoor events or bringing my services to your group or organization please contact me at www.livingbalanced.org. Although studies continue to document the numerous health benefits of time in nature; come see for yourself how being with the living earth and the more than human world can calm the nervous system, quiet the mind and sooth the spirit. See you on the path.